Civil Society:U.S.Special Assistant to the President Michael McFaul and Russian Presidential Administration First Deputy Chief of Staff Vladislav Surkov

Inter-Agency Participants:

U.S.

Russia

National Security Council

Department of State

Department of Justice

Office of Government Ethics

Department of Homeland Security

U.S. Agency for International Development

Presidential Administration of the Russian Federation

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Ministry of Justice

Security Council of the Russian Federation

Russian Ombudsman on Human Rights

Russian Presidential Ombudsman for Children’s Rights

Presidential Council on Human Rights

Federal Migration Service

Federal Penitentiary and Correctional Service

Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation

Dates Group Convened:

October 2009:

U.S. National Security Council Senior Director McFaul and First Deputy Head of the Russian Presidential Administration Surkov met in Moscow.

January 2010:

Working Group meeting was held in Washington.

May 2010:

Working Group meeting was held in Vladimir.

Deliverables/Progress:

Child Protection/Combating Child Trafficking: In January 2010, Working Group members recognized the important role civil society plays in preventing exploitation/trafficking of children and in providing assistance to victims. U.S. and Russian experts exchanged views and experience on issues regarding non-governmental organizations efforts to protect children from trafficking and exploitation through pornography, including in coordination with local and federal governments. Russian and American non-governmental organizations are working with government agencies to establish a Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Russia. U.S. and Russian experts are actively negotiating a legally binding bilateral agreement on cooperation in the field of inter-country adoption.

Anti-Corruption: In January 2010, U.S. and Russian civil society experts presented ideas to government representatives on the role that civil society can play in combating corruption.

Prison Conditions: In May 2010, representatives of the U.S. and Russia discussed the role that civil society plays in monitoring prison conditions and increasing accountability in the penitentiary system, as well as the issue of alternatives to incarceration as a form of punishment, including during the pre-trial investigation period.

Immigration: In May 2010, civil society representatives and government officials from the U.S. and Russia discussed activities undertaken by civil society that complement government programs to integrate immigrants and refugees into society.

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